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New details about the mechanism by which cancer cells multiply have been revealed by Japanese researchers.
Scientists from the University of Yamanashi have identified a protein which plays a crucial role in the aggregation of platelets induced by cancer.
Cancer cells release chemicals that enabling them to bind to the inside of blood vessels and thus evade the immune system. One of these...

A leading British epidemiologist has criticised a Swedish study of access to cancer drugs across Europe.
In May of this year, a report by Dr Nils Wilking argued that some countries were better at making new drugs available quickly and therefore had better rates of cancer survival.
Professor Michel Coleman has claimed that the report used a flawed methodology and suggested its findings may have...

Inflammation, a bodily mechanism which usually aids healing, has the opposite effect on the knee, according to new research.
Scientists from the Duke University Medical Centre believe their findings may lead to treatments for injuries or osteoarthritis in the knee.
They identified two immune system proteins that trigger inflammation, interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF). These...

US scientists have developed a new sling to help prostate cancer survivors exercise urinary control.
Dr Allen Morey, professor of urology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre introduced the new procedure called the AdVance sling, which comprises a thin strip of mesh between the inner thighs.
This is then passed deep beneath the urethra to increase support.
More than two million...

A Scandinavian study has revealed that pine bark can reduce the symptoms of the menopause.
Research in a forthcoming issue of the Scandinavian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology shows that Pycnogenol, a pine bark extract from the French maritime pine tree, inhibits 'climacteric symptoms' such as hot flashes, depression, panic attacks and other common symptoms associated with women beginning...

Researchers have found that a nasal spray offers an effective treatment for cluster headaches.
Cluster headache is relatively rare, with men three to four times more likely to suffer it than women. The pain is considered to be the most severe of the primary headache disorders, generally peaking within five minutes and remaining severe for up to three hours.
Study author Dr Alan Rapoport said: "...

High stress levels can lead to greater memory loss among patients at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a new US study.
The researchers genotyped and measured the chronic stress level in 91 healthy subjects with a mean age of 78.8 years.
They found that those low on stress or without the APOE-e4 risk factor performed better on memory measures than those with high stress or...

Dietary restriction could be used to make pancreatic cell transplants more effective, new research suggests.
Scientists from the University of Texas found that pancreatic islet cells transplanted into the liver fail not only because of immune rejection, but also because of overexposure to toxic fats.
These fats are synthesized by the surrounding liver cells and overwhelm the pancreatic...

People aged over 50 should be taking calcium and vitamin D supplements to ward against fractures, according to a Lancet study published today.
Researchers found that those in the demographic supplementing their intake of these vitamins lowered their risk of bone-thinning osteoporosis by 12 per cent.
Lead author Benjamin Tang told the Guardian: "If you're fit, healthy and have a very good diet...

A report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that thousands of people in the UK and around the world are dying prematurely from heart disease because of long-term exposure to excessive noise.
According to the study, the noise threshold for cardiovascular problems is night-time exposure of 50 decibels, which is equivalent to the noise of light traffic.
For sleep disturbance, the...